The Official Site of
West Virginia State Parks & Forests

State parks and forests appreciates the willingness of individuals to assist the state parks system through the gift of time and special skills. The act of volunteerism and lending a hand as a steward of public lands hopefully is a pleasurable and personally rewarding experience.

Volunteer Opportunities

Campground Host
Duties may include:

• Greet, welcome, answer questions, and orient campers to the facilities and local area.
• Understand and be able to explain general rules and regulations to campers.
• Set an example to other campers by keeping host site neat and clean.
• Help with the day-to-day operations of campground.
• Assist with campground maintenance, pick up litter, light janitorial duties, maintenance, Restroom cleaning and replenishing of restroom supplies.
• Assist with check-in of campers.

Benefits include:

• Free campsite with electric and water hook-up (where available) at the park/forest or wildlife management area.
• Use of other recreational facilities at the sponsoring park. All benefits are at the discretion of the park superintendent.

Campgrounds using volunteer host :

• Babcock State Park
• Beech Fork State Park
• Blackwater Falls State Park
• Bluestone State Park
• Cabwaylingo State Forest
• Camp Creek State Park
• Chief Logan State Park
• Coopers Rock State Forest
• Greenbrier State Forest
• Holly River State Park
• Kanawha State Forest
• North Bend State Park
• Tomlinson Run State Park
• Twin Falls Resort State Park
• Tygart Lake State Park
• Valley Falls State Park
• Watoga State Park

Docents, interpreters, and greeters at historical parks
Duties may include:

• Greet, welcome, and answer questions about the area, facility or historical setting of the particular park.
• Understand and be able to explain general rules and regulations.
• Assist with litter pick up, light janitorial duties, maintenance, restroom cleaning and replenishing of restroom supplies, as needed.
• Assist with special events.
• Serve as guide or interpreter.

Benefits include:

• Depending on the area and facilities available, use of recreational facilities. All benefits are at the discretion of the park superintendent.

State parks using volunteer docents, interpreters, and greeters :

• Blennerhassett Island Historical Park
• Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
• Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
• Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

The Process
Applications are received via mail or email and forwarded to respective parks for consideration and review.

Following an initial phone interview and reference and or background check, park superintendents interview candidates for final selection and approval. Successful applicants are asked to sign a written agreement outlining their specific duties, benefits, obligations and termination conditions.

or contact:

Parks and Recreation - Volunteer Host Coordinator
1900 Kanawha Blvd., E. - Building 3, Room 714
Charleston, WV 25305-0314
(304) 558-2764
1-800-CALL-WVA